Company Classes Application

We’re thrilled for the return of our auditioned Drama and Musical Theatre Company Classes.

Application deadline: March 30th

Location: Drayton Entertainment Youth Academy (145 Northfield Dr W, Waterloo)
Term: Sunday, April 13th – Sunday, June 29th, 2025
Early Bird Pricing Available Until March 9th: $345.60 + HST
Cost: $432 + HST ($36 per class)

*Each class rehearses for 3 hours every Sunday

Interested in more than one? Class schedules are specially designed to allow students to participate in multiple types of classes if desired. 10% off family and multi-class discounts are offered at registration.

Indigenous youth under 18 will receive free tuition for Youth Academy training programs. Read More  

We strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial circumstance, is able to participate in Academy classes. Inquire about our flexible payment plans and financial assistance programs.

Don’t miss out on 12 weeks of theatre fun and friends! We can’t wait to spend the Spring Session with you at the Youth Academy–where you belong!

To inquire about payment plans, bursaries, and tuition support please contact youthacademy@draytonentertainment.com.

The Drama Company

…welcomes advanced acting students wishing to gain practical insight into how plays are rehearsed and performed by working with a professional director to produce an in-studio presentation of excerpts of plays. 

Advanced acting teens are welcome to audition by submitting a self-tape of two contrasting monologues under 2 minutes each. In this Pre-Professional Production Program, performers will hone acting, leadership, and teamwork skills while making friends and having fun.

Sundays, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Director – Stacy Smith

Stacy Smith(she/her) is a Genie nominated performer, educator and coach. She has been a professional actor for over 25 years, working in theatres throughout the country and has worked extensively in television and film, with recurring roles on TV in “Rookie Blue” as Zoe Shaw and Sex & Violence starring Olympia Dukakis. Other select film/tv credits include: Law & Order Criminal Intent(Toronto), Monica’s News, Accused, Frankie Drake Mysteries, The Handmaids Tale, Designated Survivor, Murdoch Mysteries, The Detail, Sebastian, Flight of The Butterflies, Blackbird, Jessie Stone, Robson Arms, Relative Chaos, Blessed Stranger, Single Mom, Marion Bridge, Secrets Of Autumn, Wake, Running Into Edna, October 1970, Call Me Fitz, A Town Without Christmas, Heart of A Stranger and The Daily Blade. Theatre experience includes shows with Drayton Entertainment, Theatre Aquarius, Neptune Theatre, Here For Now, Ships Company, Theatre New Brunswick, Atlantic Theatre Festival, Luna Sea, Off The Leash and Mermaid Theatre. Presently faculty includes Fanshaw College, Acting For Screen and Stage and Theatre Aquarius Theatre School. Other teaching experience includes St. Claire College, The Stratford Festival, Neptune Theatre School, Mohawk College, The Ivey Business School, Dalhousie University, The Foundation for Education, Huron Waves Festival as well as Stacy Smith Coaching which offers online on camera classes and personalized coaching. Stacy is a member of the association of acting coaches and educators.

The Musical Theatre Company

…welcomes advanced musical theatre students wishing to work with a professional creative team to produce an in-studio concert of favourite, challenging musical numbers and scenes.

Advanced musical theatre teens are welcome to audition by submitting a self-tape of one song and one movement piece under 2 minutes each. In this Pre-Professional Production Program, performers will hone acting, leadership, and teamwork skills while making friends and having fun.

Sundays, 1:30pm – 4:30pm

Director and Choreographer – Darren Burkett

Darren is so thrilled to be here at Drayton Youth Academy! As an actor himself, national/international credits include performing in Matilda (1st National Tour) and Angelina Ballerina (International Tour). He has also performed across Canada with such companies as The Ross Petty Panto, Stage West, Drayton Entertainment, Thousand Island Playhouse, Western Canada Theatre, The Arts Club Theatre, Chemainus Theatre Festival, and many more. Darren is the recipient of the Jessie Richardson Award for Outstanding Performance and an Ovation Award for Male Ensemble of the Year. Previous work as a choreographer/assistant choreographer include Legally Blonde (Mainstage Theatre), Kiss of the Spider Woman (Eclipse Theatre Company), Buddy (The Globe Theatre), Edges (Two Monkeys Productions), A Funny Thing Happened… and Guys and Dolls (Vancouver Lawyer Show), Eternal Hydra (Touchstone Theatre) and the motion picture Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. He has also been a theatre and dance educator and has taught around the globe for the past 18 years.

Video Audition Requirements

Company Class Application

Testimonials

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This environment is free of judgment and full of love. Thank you for always pushing us and reminding us how important, valued and powerful we all are.

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I can’t thank you enough for the courage, independence and kindness you help to instil in my kids.

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Although my Dad never spoke of it to Evan or me, he was a little hesitant with the dance stuff and then theatre stuff… but then he came out of the Panto that Evan was in crying, so happy that Evan had found a place where he felt like he belonged.

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As parents we got to ride this high with our son. We got to see him, for the first time, totally come into himself, for the first time, pure happiness. Something changed, he has changed….thank you.

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This was the most amazing theatre experience I’ve had to date, and I’ve had a LOT! It’s the first time I’ve felt like I really belonged because you made such an inclusive environment.

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Thank you! She walked away with more confidence about body image, an even deeper love of everything “theatre” and huge love and respect for her community!

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The patience David shows to the children is perfect! As a teacher I recognize that this man was made to work with kids!! The way he speaks to kids makes them believe they can do anything!!!

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This is where I want to be. I get to learn from Broadway performers who are performing at a theatre right next door but more importantly, I’ve made lifelong friends. Even the audition process is awesome. Drayton has helped me grow not only as a performer, but as a person.

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My son has done lots of programs and I think he felt the most at home here. The children and staff were the most inclusive of any I’ve encountered.

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Each and every day he arrived at Huron Country Playhouse, he knew he was stepping into a place where his passions and dreams were going to be honoured, respected and encouraged.

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Kids (and even adults!) really have fun and learn skills, responsibility, and teamwork here. David Connolly (Director of Education) is a fantastic leader.

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The two musical theatre classes I attended were a lot of fun and I enjoyed them tremendously.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed the adult classes at DEYA. It is a great opportunity to get creative with like-minded peers in a judgment-free environment: singing, dancing, acting and even improv! I love that Drayton is giving us adults a chance to live the theatre dream and learn new skills from talented instructors.

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The staff involved had an incredible ability to push the kids outside of their comfort zones to try new things and take risks. Most of all, they were able to teach kids to embrace differences and that it’s okay to be different.

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